Manchester United moved on the brink of Champions League qualification with a 2-1 win over Brentford, but caretaker manager Michael Carrick said they must keep pushing to finish as high as possible in the Premier League table.
United need just two points from their remaining four games to cement their place in Europe’s elite club competition for the first time since the 2023-24 season.
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But Carrick’s future at Old Trafford remains uncertain, although it has been confirmed that the talismanic scorer and leader in the middle of the pitch, who scored Monday’s opening goal, will leave the club in the summer.
Al Jazeera Sports looks at United’s current situation as they return to their former glory.
What happened in Manchester United’s 2-1 win against Brentford?
United took an early lead at Old Trafford with Brazil international Casemiro converting a corner from Bruno Fernandes through Harry Maguire.
Fernandes helped double United’s lead just before half-time with a furious run and a pinpoint pass to Benjamin Sesco, who scored in clinical style.
Carrick’s side overcame Matthias Jensen’s late attack to secure their second consecutive win and consolidate their position in third place in the Premier League.
How close are Manchester United to returning to the Champions League?
Monday’s victory took United to 61 points, 11 behind sixth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion with four games in hand.
With the top five teams qualifying for next season’s Champions League, United need two more points to secure a return to Europe’s elite competition for the first time in two years.
What’s next for Manchester United, who are about to return to the Champions League?
Former United midfielder Carrick told reporters after Monday’s game: “The Champions League is important, but it’s not something we should celebrate too much.”
“We really want to finish at the top of the league and we want to get more points to challenge for the top of the league and not end the season if that happens.
“We are in a good position but there is still work to do,” added Carrick, who took over in January following the sacking of Ruben Amorim.
Will Casemiro remain at Manchester United next season?
Casemiro scored his ninth goal of the season at Old Trafford on Monday and supporters are calling for the club to keep him for another year, but Carrick said the midfielder’s future lies elsewhere.
“It’s very clear from both sides. Perhaps the situation and that clarity helped everything,” he said, repeating an earlier announcement that Casemiro’s contract would not be renewed at the end of the season.
“This means a lot to him and he deserves credit under these circumstances. He gave everything just the same and had some great moments for us.”
Casemiro and Fernandes will be central to Manchester United’s resurgence this season
Brazilian veteran Casemiro has scored four goals in his last six games, underscoring his enduring value at United.
Fernandes was even more important, with the United captain picking up his 19th assist of the season, closing in on one of the Premier League single-season records currently held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.
Carrick understands the value of the midfield pairing, with the United caretaker manager saying: “Casemiro has scored some big goals for us. The relationship between Bruno and Casemiro is good.”
“We’re scoring almost every game and Bruno is a big part of that. He probably could have made one more assist and scored himself.”
Will Carrick be in charge of Manchester United next season?
When Carrick took over until the end of the season, United were languishing in sixth place and Champions League qualification was not guaranteed.
The former United midfielder has steadied the ship admirably after Amorim’s tumultuous reign.
United next face fourth-placed Liverpool on Sunday, with only three points separating them from their fierce rivals and defending Premier League champions.
“It wasn’t a given. At one stage we weren’t favorites,” Carrick said of Champions League qualification looming.
Another win against a side that is historically the biggest derby of the season would put Carrick in a good position to stay next season.
“We’re in a good position now so we want to finish at the top of the league and at the same time keep working towards that,” Carrick said.
“I thought the spirit, effort and cohesiveness of the players was great. This is a time of year when results are important so we needed to get points.”
“It was a tough result in a tough league. I’m happy that we were able to get this many wins.”
“We have an important game coming up against Liverpool so I’m looking forward to it.”
Is Iraola Carrick’s main rival at Manchester United?
Carrick’s name is at the top of the list of candidates to replace Amorim, and by a considerable margin.
His lack of long-term Premier League experience, or indeed top-level experience elsewhere, is a huge consideration for United’s hierarchy.
Andoni Iraola has announced he will leave Bournemouth this summer and has been touted as one of England’s top jobs, including at Chelsea and Tottenham, and even to one day succeed Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
His attacking style and high pressing suit Manchester United’s famous methods under two of the club’s most successful managers, Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson.
It remains to be seen whether a move up from Bournemouth to United will be seen as too big a leap, but Iraola is the second favorite for the post among bookmakers.
Who else could be Man United’s manager next season – Nagelsmann, Southgate?
The person who is attracting the most attention in relation to this role is Julian Nagelsmann, the German national team coach.
The 38-year-old enjoyed a meteoric rise through the managerial ranks from Hoffenheim and Leipzig to Bayern Munich, where he spent two seasons before being appointed to the national team job in 2023.
His playing career as a central defender was cut short in 2006 by a knee injury before he got a chance to start.
Former England manager Gareth Southgate has long been linked with the United job, but his more pragmatic, defensive approach to tactics and formations was unpopular with fans.
The 55-year-old has been out of action since quitting England in 2006, having previously managed the likes of Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough.
Who will Manchester United replace Casemiro in midfield next season?
Casemiro’s Brazil team-mate Ederson is thought to be United’s number one target this summer.
The 26-year-old, who has featured three times for his national team, currently plays for Atalanta in Italian Serie A and is seen as a possible successor to Casemiro.
Real Madrid’s Aurélien Choameny has also been linked with a move to Old Trafford, but luring him away from the Spanish giants won’t be easy or cheap.
The 26-year-old midfielder has already won 44 caps for France and has scored three goals. Real and French teammate Eduardo Camavinga has also been mentioned, but the 23-year-old’s signing appears less likely than Choameni.
Two names have already been rumored within the Premier League: Carlos Baleva from Brighton or Cameroon, and Elliott Anderson from Nottingham Forest and England.
A solid track record in the same league is often important. As a result, both come with a hefty price tag.
